Cuff link lock

ABSTRACT

A lock for preventing the loss of a cuff link comprising: a sheet-like body having portions thereof which are flexible and including a U-shaped portion having a base and a pair of generally parallel legs extending from the base, a coplanar tongue extending from the base and having a portion thereof disposed between the legs, the tongue having a neck portion adjacent to the base and a lock portion extending from the neck portion, the legs bounding the lock portion on either side and in close proximity thereto so as to provide a pair of slits, the width of the neck portion being smaller than the width of the lock portion thereby providing a pair of apertures bounded by the legs, the base and the neck.

United States Patent [191 Lakos Mar. 26, 1974 CUFF LINK LOCK Primary ExaminerBernard A. Gelak [76] Inventor: Eugene A. Lakos, 201 E. 66th St., Asslsan g New York NY 1002] Attorney Agent, or F1rm-Shles1nger, Arkwright, Garvey & Dmsmore [22] Filed: June 29, 1972 1 1 pp 267,501 1571 ABSTRACT A lock for preventing the loss of a cuff link compris- [52] U.S. Cl. 24/905, 24/DIG. 28 i a sheet-like body having portions thereof which l l llll- Cl A44b 8 are flexible and including a U-shaped portion having a Field 0f Search v BIG 9, BIG base and a pair of generally parallel legs extending 41; 132/52 from the base, a coplanar tongue extending from the base and having a portion thereof disposed between Referen'les Cited the legs, the tongue having a neck portion adjacent to UNITED STATES PATENTS the base and a lock portion extending from the neck 2,133,068 10/1938 Wiegman A. 24/151028 P the legs bounding the lock Portion either 1 $441114? 6/1925 Dufault t. 24/97 Side and in 61056 Proximity thereto 80 as to Provide a 2 59() l66 3/1952 Farrell 24/D1G 9 pair of slits, the width of the neck portion being 2 927359 3/ l 960 Thomas 24/DlG. 9 smaller than the width of the lock portion thereby prolI91.763 7/l9l6 Conde et lv 24/9025 viding a pair of apertures bounded by the legs, the 1.235.575 8/l9l7 Kliesrath et al... 24/905 b d h k 3.634.9ll 1/1972 Mobell 24/90 5 8 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures CUFF LINK LOCK SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an improved means for preventing the loss of a standard cuff link comprising a flat, semi-flexible guard which is inserted between the folded shirt cuffs and fastened around the tines of the cuff link. The cuff link lock or guard being larger than a standard buttonhole, the cuff link remains secured to the cuff despite the accidental'unlocking of the cuff link catch bar and the resulting disengagement of one or more folds of the cuff.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND AND OBJECTS Many modern cuff links are attached to shirt cuffs by means of a U-bar fastened to the back of the ornamental portion of a cuff link, the U-bar being provided with a spring-loaded, rotating locking bar mounted on a pin at the open end of the U-bar. The cuff link is inserted into the shirt by first aligning the locking bar with the parallel tines of the U-bar support and threading the two together through the buttonholes of the shirt cuff. The locking bar is then rotated 90 to the tines thereby preventing the U-bar from withdrawing and slipping out of the cuff.

Since the locking bar is positioned on the outer surface of the cuff during wearing of the cuff link, the possibility of its being hooked or caught in putting on or removing a coat is substantial. This will result in the spring-loaded locking bar snapping open to a position parallel to the tines thereby resulting in loss of the cuff link.

In the past, various devices have been proposed for meeting this problem. Mobell US. Pat. No. 3,634,911 and Schuchman US. Pat. No. 3,543,354 are examples of such proposed solutions. Additionally, unsightly chain-mesh bands that pass around the outside edges of the cuffs and which are attached to the inserted prong of the cuff link then locked in place by the locking bar have been proposed. Such devices are inadequate either because they fail to provide a secure lock which will not be rendered ineffective by the normal activities of the wearer or because they are unsightly thereby impairing the esthetic appearance of the cuff links.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a cuff link lock which firmly engages the tines of a standard U-bar cuff link thereby preventing it from accidentally slipping through the buttonholes of the cuff and becoming lost.

A further object of this invention is to provide a cuff link lock having a flat shape thereby facilitating its engagement of a standard U-bar cuff link between the folds of a shirt cuff.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a cuff link lock which is unobtrusive thereby preserving the esthetic appearance of the cuff link.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a cuff link lock which is flexible thereby facilitating attachment and removal.

A further object of this invention is to provide a cuff link lock having a key-like tongue which is twistingly inserted between the tines of a standard U-bar cuff link thereby precluding any accidental disengagement of the lock from the cuff link.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a cuff link lock which can be used with either French or barrel type cuffs manufactured to accept cuff links.

These and other objects of this invention will be apparent from the following description and claims.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate this invention:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the invention showing its attachment to a cuff link;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the invention showing its removal from a cuff link;

FIG. 4 is an end view of the invention showing its position during insertion or removal;

FIG. 5 is an end view of the invention locked on a cuff link which has been inserted through and secured to the folds of a shirt cuff;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a further embodiment of the invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the lock L comprises a sheet of resilient material which has been stamped or otherwise fabricated to include a U-shaped gripping portion 2 having a pair of side clasps 4 and 6 and a tongue portion 8 which protrudes beyond side clasps 4 and 6. Tongue 8 is provided with a neck portion 10 having a width which is smaller than the width of the locking portion 12 thereby forming a pair of recesses 14 and 16 bounded by the side clasps or legs 4 and 6, neck 10 and locking portion 12. Recesses l4 and 16 and neck portion 10 are sufficiently proportioned to accept the tines ofa standard U-bar cuff link (not shown) within the recesses l4 and 16 and astride neck portion 10. It is preferred that recesses 14 and 16 and neck portion are dimensioned such that the fit is sufficiently snug so that the lock L cannot rotate about the tines of the U-bar (not shown) and possibly protrude outside the fabric of the cuff. In order to prevent the inadvertant removal of the lock L from the cuff link (not shown), it is necessary that the slots 18 and 20 between side clasps 4 and 6 and locking portion 12 be narrower than the thickness of the tones ofa standard U-bar cuff link. In a preferred form of the invention, the slots 18 and 20 are in edgewise contact with side clasps 4 and 6.

To provide easy insertion of the lock L into a cuff link (not shown), the forward edges 22 and 24 of side clasps 4 and 6 are rounded and the locking portion of tongue 8 is of parabolic or bullet shape in the preferred design. Alternatively, the tip 26 of the locking portion 12 of tongue 8 may be rounded as shown in FIG. 6.

Recesses l4 and 16 may be slightly rounded so as to minimize concentration of stresses when twisting takes place during insertion and removal. In the preferred design, the edges 28 and 30 of tongue 8 are hook-shaped to further lessen the possibility of the tines of the cuff link (not shown) slipping from recesses 14 and 16 into slots 18 and 20. The total size of the device, including rear portion 32, is sufficiently large to eliminate any possibility of its ever slipping through the buttonhole of a shirt cuff (not shown). The size of the lock L should also be large enough to permit easy manipulation.

The cuff link lock L is made of a tough and resilient material such as an appropriate plastic or the like. Appropriate materials include cellulose acetate, Vinylite, polyvinyl chloride, Mylar, polyethylene, polypropylene and nylon. Other materials will, however, be obvious to the reader. An acceptable thickness of the lock L is about 0.030 inches. Preferably the material should be clear, transparent or translucent so as not to be readily visible when in use.

To insert the device (FlG. 2), the cuff link C is inserted halfway through the shirt cuffs (not shown) and the locking bar B of the cuff link is moved into the lock position perpendicular to the tines T. Then, grasping the lock L at rear portion 32 between the thumb and forefinger, it is held in a plane diagonal to the opening formed by the tines T, the ornamental back plate P and the locking bar B (See FIG. 4) and the tongue 8 is inserted through the tines T until they slip into recesses 14 and 16. The lock L is now securely locked in place around the cuff link C. After the lock L is twisted to lie flat against the cuff half (not shown) through which the link C is threaded, the locking bar B is again moved parallel to tines T and the remainder of the cuff (not shown) is secured in the usual fashion.

The relationship of the locking device L, cuff link C and the shirt cuff S are now as shown in FIG. 5. With the lock L in this position, even though the cuff link C might still open accidentally and release one half of the cuff S, the cuff link remains securely locked by the device L to the other half of the cuff thereby preventing loss. It might also be noted that due to the size and shape of the lock L, it is completely hidden by the folded cuff S thereby preserving the esthetic appearance of the ornamental cuff link C.

To remove the locking device L (See FIG. 3), the locking bar is moved to a position parallel to tines T and one half of the fold of cuff S are released and the locking bar B is then moved to a position perpendicular to tines T. Tongue 8 is then grasped between the thumb and index finger of the wearer and the locking device L is moved to a position diagonal to the rectangle formed by the back plate P, tines T and locking bar B (See FIG. 4). Tongue 8 is then twisted slightly so that slots 18 and 20 are widened sufficiently to accommodate tines T and the lock L is then forced backward sliding it over the tines T and free of the cuff link C.

Due to the resilient nature of the material from which the lock L is made, twisting the tongue 8 as much as 45 from its normal position will not cause permanent distortion or breakage.

While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, it will be understood that it is capable of further modification. This Application is, therefore, intended to correct any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention following the general principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains, and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth and fall within the scope of this invention or the limits of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what 1 claim is:

1. In the combination of a cuff folded so that the buttonholes overlie; a cuff link including a plate, a pair of tines extending from said plate through said buttonhole and pivotable cross bar means secured to said tines, said plate, tines and cross bar means cooperating to enclose an open space; and lock means engaging said tines and disposed between overlying folds of said cuff; the improvement in said lock means comprising:

a. a sheet-like body having portions thereof which are flexible and including a planar U-shaped portion having a base and a pair of generally parallel legs extending from said base,

b. a tongue portion extending from said base having a portion thereof disposed between said legs,

c. said tongue portion being coplanar with said base and fittable within said space enclosed by said plate, tines and cross bar means,

(I. said tongue having a neck portion adjacent to said base and a lock portion extending from said neck portion,

c. said legs bounding said lock portion on either side and in close proximity thereto so as to provide a pair of narrow slits,

f. said slits having a width no greater than the thickness of said tines,

g. the width of said neck portion being smaller than the width of said lock portion thereby forming a pair of tine accommodating apertures bounded by said legs, said base and said neck.

2. In combination with a cuff link of the type including a base and a pair of tines extending from said base, lock means comprising:

a. a sheet-like body including a U-shaped portion having a base and a pair of generally parallel legs extending from said base,

b. a tongue extending from said base and having a lock portion being positioned between said legs,

c. said tongue including means for permitting said tongue to be resiliently twisted relative to said base,

d. said means for permitting said tongue to be resiliently twisted comprising a resilient neck portion of said tongue intermediate said base and said lock portion,

e. said legs bounding said lock portion on either side and in close proximity thereto to thereby provide a pair of slits,

f. the width of said neck portion being smaller than the width of said lock portion to thereby provide a pair of apertures,

g. said tines passing through said apertures, and

h. shoulder means formed by said lock portion and said neck portion for cooperating with said legs to positively lock said tines within said apertures.

3. A lock device as in claim 2 and wherein said shoulder means include arcuate edges bounding said apertures.

4. A lock device as in claim 2 and wherein said lock portion is in edgewise contact with said legs.

5. A lock device as in claim 2 and wherein said tongue protrudes beyond said legs.

6. A lock device as in claim 2 and wherein said base, said legs and said tongue include rounded edge por tions.

7. A lock device as in claim 2 and wherein the perimeters of said apertures are oval-shaped.

S. In combination with a cuff link of the type including a base and a pair of substantially parallel tines extending longitudinally from said base and being separated by a first distance, lock means engaging said tines, said lock means comprising:

a. a sheet-like body including a U-shaped portion having a base and a pair of generally parallel legs extending from said base,

b. a tongue extending from said base and having a lock portion being positioned between said legs,

c. said lock portion having a width greater than said first distance,

d. said tongue including means for permitting said tongue to be resiliently twisted relative to said base,

e. said means for permitting said tongue to be resilh. the width of said neck portion being smaller than iently twisted comprising a neck Portion of Said said lock portion to thereby provide a pair of apertongue intermediate said base and said lock portures i i. said tines passing through said apertures and f. said neck portion having a width less than said first 5 distance J. shoulder means formed by said lock portion and g. said legs bounding said lock portion on either side said neck Portion for cooperating with Said g to and in close proximity thereto to th b id positively lock said tines within said apertures. a pair of slits, 

1. In the combination of a cuff folded so that the buttonholes overlie; a cuff link including a plate, a pair of tines extending from said plate through said buttonhole and pivotable cross bar means secured to said tines, said plate, tines and cross bar means cooperating to enclose an open space; and lock means engaging said tines and disposed between overlying folds of said cuff; the improvement in said lock means comprising: a. a sheet-like body having portions thereof which are flexible and including a planar U-shaped portion having a base and a pair of generally parallel legs extending from said base, b. a tongue portion extending from said base having a portion thereof disposed between said legs, c. said tongue portion being coplanar with said base and fittable within said space enclosed by said plate, tines and cross bar means, d. said tongue having a neck portion adjacent to said base and a lock portion extending from said neck portion, e. said legs bounding said lock portion on either side and in close proximity thereto so as to provide a pair of narrow slits, f. said slits having a width no greater than the thickness of said tines, g. the width of said neck portion being smaller than the width of said lock portion thereby forming a pair of tine accommodating apertures bounded by said legs, said base and said neck.
 2. In combination with a cuff link of the type including a base and a pair of tines extending from said base, lock means comprising: a. a sheet-like body including a U-shaped portion having a base and a pair of generally parallel legs extending from said base, b. a tongue extending from said base and having a lock portion being positioned between said legs, c. said tongue including means for permitting said tongue to be resiliently twisted relative to said base, d. said means for permitting said tongue to be resiliently twisted comprising a resilient neck portion of said tongue intermediate said base and said lock portion, e. said legs bounding said lock portion on either side and in close proximity thereto to thereby provide a pair of slits, f. the width of said neck portion being smaller than the width of said lock portion to thereby provide a pair of apertures, g. said tines passing through said apertures, and h. shoulder means formed by said lock portion and said neck portion for cooperating with said legs to positively lock said tines within said apertures.
 3. A lock device as in claim 2 and wherein said shoulder means include arcuate edges bounding said apertures.
 4. A lock device as in claim 2 and wherein said lock portion is in edgewise contact with said legs.
 5. A lock device as in claim 2 and wherein said tongue protrudes beyond said legs.
 6. A lock device as in claim 2 and wherein said base, said legs and said tongue include rounded edge portions.
 7. A lock device as in claim 2 and wherein the perimeters of said apertures are oval-shaped.
 8. In combination with a cuff link of the type including a base and a pair of substantially parallel tines extending longitudinally from said base and being separated by a first distance, lock means engaging said tines, said lock means comprising: a. a sheet-like body including a U-shaped portion having a base and a pair of generally parallel legs extending from said base, b. a tongue extending from said base and having a lock portion being positioned between said legs, c. said lock portion having a width greater than said first distance, d. said tongue including means for permitting said tongue to be resiliently twisted relative to said base, e. said means for permitting said tongue to be resiliently twisted comprising a neck portion of said tongue intermediate said base and said lock portion, f. said neck portion having a width less than said first distance, g. said legs bounding said lock portion on either side and in close proximity thereto to thereby provide a pair of slits, h. the width of said neck portion being smaller than said lock portion to thereby provide a pair of apertures, i. said tines passing through said apertures, and j. shoulder means formed by said lock portion and said neck portion for cooperating with said legs to positively lock said tines within said apertures. 